Cat Breeds : Siberian

Description: The Siberian is a medium/large, strong cat which takes up to 5 years to mature. The females weigh less than the males. They are extremely agile and athletic. Their muscles are mighty, outstanding and powerful. The back is medium and slightly lower in front than in the hind, but appears horizontal when in motion. A barrel shaped, muscular torso, develops with age. The hind legs, when straightened, are slightly longer than the forelegs. The paws are round, big and quite powerful. The overall appearance should be one of great strength and power; the facial expression is quite sweet. The general impression is one of roundness and circles.

Coat: This is a moderately long to longhaired cat, with hair on the shoulder blades and lower part of the chest being thick and slightly shorter. Siberians have a triple coat. There should be an abundant ruff setting off the large, impressive head. There is a tight undercoat, thicker in cold weather. Allow for warm climate coats. The hair may thicken to curls on the belly and britches, but a wavy coat is not characteristic. The skin may have a bluish cast. Clear strong colors and patterns are desirable, but are secondary to type.

Eyes: The large, almost round eyes are at least one eye width apart with the outer corner slightly angled toward the lower base of the ear. There is no relationship between eye color and coat color/pattern, however, as with all pointed cats the eye color is blue.

Ears: The ears are medium-large, wide and set as much on the sides of the head as on the top; ideal position is 1 to 1-1/2 ear widths apart. The tips are rounded and the ear tilts forward. Ear furnishings are desirable. Hair over the back of the ears is short and thin; from the middle of the ear, the furnishings become longer and cover the base completely.

Tail: The tail is medium length, wide at the base, blunt at the tip without thickening or kinks, evenly and thickly furnished.

Head: The head is a modified wedge of medium size with rounded contours, broader at the skull and narrowing slightly to a full rounded muzzle with well-rounded chin. There may be a slight muzzle curvature, but the transition between the side of the head and the muzzle is gentle and inconspicuous. The cheek bones are neither high set nor prominent. There should be a good distance between the ears and eyes. There should be a good distance between the ears and eyes. In profile the top of the head is flat and the nose has a gentle concave curve through the eye region between nose and brow. There should be a slight doming between the ears and an almost flat area on the forehead. The neck is medium, rounded, substantial, and very well-muscled

There exists controversy concerning color point Siberians. Some consider them to be a separate breed called Neva Masquerade, but so far no major cat registry has accepted them as a separate breed. They are considered to be a color division of the Siberian breed

Cat Breeds : Somali

The Somali is a long-haired Abyssinian cat. The breed appeared spontaneously in the 1950s from Abyssinian breeding programs when a number of Abyssinian kittens were born with bottle-brush tails and long fluffy coats. Abyssinians and Somalis share the same personality (active, intelligent, playful, curious) and appearance. The only difference between them is the fur length and therefore the amount of grooming required. Unlike most long-haired cats, Somalis shed very little excess hair. Their coat is generally shed en masse, or "blown", once or twice a year, rather than constantly shedding like a Persian or other long-haired cat.

Somalis have a striking, bushy tail, which, combined with their ruddy coat, has earned them the nickname of "fox cats" in some circles. In addition to the fluffy tail, the Somali breed features a black stripe down its back, large ears, a full ruff and breeches, contributing further to the overall "foxy" look. Their coats are ticked, which is a variation on tabby markings, and some Somalis may show full tabby stripes on portions of their bodies, but this is seen as a flaw, and tabby Somalis are only sold as neutered pets. The only tabby marking on a show Somali is the traditional tabby 'M' on the middle of the forehead. Like Abyssinians, they have a dark rim around their eyes that makes them look like they are wearing kohl, and they have a small amount of white on their muzzles and chins/throats. White elsewhere on their bodies disqualifies them from show-status.

Temperament
They are smart and lively, but also alert and curious. They are freedom-loving and must have plenty of room to roam and explore. They are best kept indoors or in outside runs for their own safety.

Colors and Patterns
The essence of the Somali cat is ticking - each hair is ticked multiple times in two colours. The Usual or Ruddy Somali is golden brown ticked with black. There are 28 colours of Somali in total (some organisations accept only some of these colours). All organisations accept Somalis in usual/ruddy, sorrel/red, blue, and fawn. Most clubs recognise usual/ruddy silver, sorrel/red silver, blue silver, and fawn silver. Other colours that may be accepted include chocolate, lilac, red, cream, usual-tortie, sorrel-tortie, blue-tortie, fawn-tortie, chocolate-tortie, lilac-tortie, and silver variants of all the above colours.

Genetic problems
In the 1990s, many purebred Somalis had significant dental problems due to congenital problems magnified by inbreeding. As a result, many Somali cats had to have all their adult teeth removed. (Dental abscesses, especially below the gumline, can cause cats to stop eating, which often leads to hepatic lipidosis, a condition that's often deadly.) As of 2006, the CFA breed standard makes no mention of this, and breeders say they've made much progress in breeding out this unfortunate trait.

The Somali breed along with its parent breed the Abyssinian have been found to suffer from Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKDef), with around 5% of the breed carrying the defective gene. There is now a genetic test to identify this recessive disorder within the breed, and as such all breeding stock should be tested to ensure no more affected kittens need be produced.

Cat Breeds : Ragdoll

Ragdolls were first created in the 1960s by Ann Baker, a Persian cat breeder in California. The name “Ragdoll “ is derived from Baker's belief that her cat Josephine was genetically manipulated during treatment at the local university, after she was run over by a car, resulting in future Ragdolls being relaxed when picked up, and unable to feel pain . Today, scientists reject this theory as Ragdoll experiences pain in the same way as any other breed of cat . As far as the "floppiness" is concerned, cats from any breed could present this trait - it is not caused by any genetic characteristic, but rather by the way in which the kitten is raised and socialised .

 More about History
Some of the original stock consisted of hardy, free-roaming street cats. Ms. Baker created the foundations of the Ragdoll breed by selecting kittens out of Josephine, a semi-feral longhaired white female Persian/Angora type, sired by several unknown male Birman-like or Burmese-like cats, one with Siamese type markings. Out of those early litters came Blackie, an all black Burmese-like male and Daddy Warbucks, a seal point with white feet. Daddy Warbucks sired the founding bi-color female Fugianna, and Blackie sired Buckwheat, a dark brown/black Burmese-like female. Both Fugianna and Buckwheat were daughters of Josephine. All Ragdoll and RagaMuffin cats are descended from Ann Baker's cats through matings of Daddy Warbucks to Fugianna and Buckwheat. By selecting individuals with the look and temperament she wanted for her breeding program, Ann Baker created the standard Ragdoll type.

Baker, in an unusual move, spurned traditional cat breeding associations. She trademarked the name "Ragdoll", set up her own registry - International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) - and enforced stringent standards on anyone who wanted to breed or sell cats under that name. The Ragdolls were also not allowed to be registered in other breed associations. In 1975, a group broke rank with IRCA with the aim of gaining mainstream recognition for the Ragdoll. This group, which included Denny and Laura Dayton eventually developed the Ragdoll standard currently accepted by major cat registries. The breed was selectively bred over many years for desirable traits, such as large size, gentle demeanor, and a tendency to go limp when picked up, as well as the striking pointed coloration. In 1994, a second group decided to leave the IRCA and form their own group due to increasingly strict breeding restrictions. This group later established the Ragamuffin breed. Keep in mind at this point that the ragdoll has a name that no one could use until Ann Baker's trademark on "Ragdoll" was not renewed by her in 2005. Due to how the ragamuffins are bred (every 5th generation with certain other cats including the ragdoll), they are two distinct breeds of cats. Even though ragamuffins are in-bred with ragdolls to keep a similar ragdoll temperament they may show behavior and physical differences.

 Weight Range
10-20 lb (4.5-9 kg). Some have been reported as big as 35 pounds. Males have large manes. Large size is one goal of Ragdoll cat breeders. Ragdolls are the largest domesticated cat breed.

Temperament
The Ragdoll cat typically has a very gentle and relaxed temperament. When socialized from birth they are attentive and affectionate members of the family that enjoy and seek out human companionship. Ragdoll cats remain playful throughout their lives, adjust well to children and pets and are sometimes called "puppy-cats" because of their propensity to follow their owners from room to room and meet them at the door. Ragdoll cats are demurely vocal, careful with their claws and teeth when in play, plus forgiving of accidental mistreatment. Because of their non-defensive nature, a Ragdoll should never be allowed outdoors unattended.

Grooming
Ragdolls require light grooming and great nutrition to give them an overall fluffy and healthy appearance. Ragdolls shed minimally. Their coats are easier to manage than many other long-haired breeds with just weekly combing to remove loose hairs and prevent mats. Bathing is rarely needed but well-tolerated, as are nail-clippings and vet visits.

 Varieties
Ragdolls come in 6 different colors - seal, chocolate, flame, and "dilutes" blue, lilac and cream. There are 3 different patterns: Pointed (nose, ears, tail and paws in the specific colors & no white), Mitted - white paws, chin and tummy, with or without a blaze (a white line on the face), and Bicolor - white tall socks, white inverted 'V' on the face, white tummy and often white patches on the back. Variations include a three-color "tortie-point" (mottled seal or blue with red present) and lynx (striped pattern on tail, face and points) which can be found in all 3 patterns.

Cat Breeds : Persian

Characteristics
A show-quality Persian has an extremely long thick coat, short legs, a wide head with the ears set far apart, large eyes, and an extremely foreshortened muzzle. Their eyes are often gooey, and the owner should clean their eyes at least once every day. The breed was originally established with a short (but not non-existent) muzzle, but over time this feature has become extremely exaggerated, particularly in North America, and Persians with the more extreme brachycephalic head type are susceptible to a number of health problems (specifically affecting their sinuses and breathing) caused by it. Their short muzzle also causes them to have dust and debris cover the inside of their nostrils more often, which makes it very difficult for them to breathe.

The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica (Encyclopædia) suggests that the Persian is derived from the Pallas Cat. A photograph accompanying the entry in the Encyclopædia shows a Blue Persian Cat, the conformation of which we would now call a "Doll Faced Persian" or "Traditional Persian". Early photographs and drawings from magazines show the Persian as a Traditional Persian Cat. The Persian was first registered with the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in 1871 when the association first kept records.

Photographic records indicate that Persians, up until the 1960s, show a difference in appearance to cats of the early 1980s onwards (i.e., from the Traditional "doll face" to the "extreme", "ultra", "flat-faced" or "snubby" face of today). However, the Persian Breed Council's standard  for the Persian had remained basically unchanged over this period. The Persian Breed Standard is by its nature somewhat open ended and focused on a rounded head.

It is generally accepted (and by the Breed Council) that through selective breeding, in an attempt to develop the ideal Persian appearance, the Ultra Face came about . This has been called ultra-typing . The Persian Breed Council's standard was changed during the late 1980s to limit the development of the extreme appearance. In 2007 the Persian Breed Standard was altered to reflect the flat face and it now states that the forehead, nose, and chin should be in vertical alignment.

Conscientious breeders take into account and minimize health issues by careful choice of breeding stock with more moderate head type, as the stated goal of most breeders is first and always healthy cats.

Persian cats can have any color or markings including pointed, golden, tortoiseshell, blue, and tabby. Tipped varieties are known as Chinchilla. Point varieties are called Himalayan in the United States and Colorpoint Persian in Europe.

In the USA, there was an attempt to establish the Silver Persian as a separate breed called the Sterling, but it was not accepted and Silver and Golden longhaired cats, recognized by CFA more specially as Chinchilla Silvers, Shaded Silvers, Chinchilla Goldens or Shaded Goldens are judged in the Persian category of cat shows. In South Africa, the attempt to separate the breed was more successful: the SA Cat Council (SACC) registers cats with 5 generations of pure bred Chinchilla as a Chinchilla Longhair. The Chinchilla Longhair has a slightly longer nose than the Persian, resulting in healthy breathing and no tearing of the eyes. Its hair is translucent with only the tips carrying black pigment: a feature that gets lost when out-crossed to other colored Persians. Out-crossing also may result in losing nose and lip liner, which is a fault in the Chinchilla Longhair breed standard. One of the distinctions of this breed is the blue-green or green eyecolor only with kittens having blue or bluish purple eyecolor.

Because their fur is too long and dense for them to maintain themselves, Persian cats need regular grooming. To keep their fur in its best condition, they must be bathed regularly, dried carefully afterwards, and brushed thoroughly every day. Their eyes need to be checked for problems on a regular basis because some animals have trouble keeping them clean. As they grow older, Persians tend to develop a crusty-like object under the eyes. Likewise, Persians are particularly susceptible to a genetic disease which causes kidney failure, PKD, Polycystic kidney disease, among other diseases. However, cats can now be DNA screened for the gene that causes PKD, so these affected cats are gradually being removed from the Persian gene pool by responsible breeders.

Longevity is usually between 10 and 19 years on average. The White Persians eye-color can be orange-eyed, blue-eyed, or odd-eyed. The blue-eyed type is prone to deafness.

Cat Breeds : Oriental Longhair

The Oriental Longhair, formerly known as the British Angora, is a breed of cat that features a tubular, Siamese-style body (known in the cat fancy as oriental type), but with a longer coat than the short-haired Siamese. The coat can also come in a variety of colors and patterns, including tabby, "tortie", and solid.

In 2002, the British Angora was renamed Oriental Longhair by British cat fancies. This avoided confusion with the Turkish Angora. With no globally recognised naming convention, other cat fancies refer to this type as Javanese, Foreign Longhair or Mandarin.

The Angora is the old name for the Oriental Longhair (European Javanese, Dutch Mandarin) British breed of cat. This Angora name was dropped by British Cat Registries in 2002 due to confusion with the Turkish Angora and bring it into line with Oriental Longhair elsewhere. They have the body type and nature of an Oriental cat - lean, sleek, intelligent and inquisitive - and a silky medium-length coat which is much longer and thicker than that of a traditional oriental cat or Siamese.

Oriental Longhairs can be any of the standard shorthair colours. The range of possible coat colours includes everything from self-coloured (black, blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, caramel, fawn, red, cream and apricot), torty, smoke (silver undercoat), shaded or tipped, tabby or white. All Oriental Longhairs have green eyes, except for the whites, which may have green or blue eyes, or be odd-eyed (two different colored eyes).

If an Oriental Longhair is bred to a shorthaired oriental or a Siamese, the kittens will all be short-haired. However, if these kittens are reintroduced into a breeding program as adults, approximately half of their kittens will have long coats.

The Oriental Longhair is analogous to the CFA Balinese and Javanese, and the TICA Oriental Longhair breeds in the United States.

The British "Angora" should not be confused with the Turkish Angora, one of the most ancient breeds of longhaired cats. Originating from the mountainous regions of Turkey, the Turkish Angora is recognized by many official registries including CFA and TICA.

The Turkish Angora has a svelte, but not Oriental style, foreign body type. It does not come in pointed colors. It is a refined and elegant cat, with large ears set high and tight on the head, and offering smaller boning than the more well-known Persian cat. The Turkish Angora is a natural breed of cat, and is prohibited from outcrossing to any other breed, unlike the British "Angora" (which has since dropped the name due to pending GCCF recognition of the Turkish Angora).

Cat Breeds : Norwegian Forest Cat

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a breed of domestic cat native to Northern Europe, and adapted to a very cold climate. In Norway they are known as skogkatter or more properly, the Norsk skogkatt (literally, Norwegian Forest Cat).

The breed is very old, and occurred as a natural adaptation to the cold climate of the region, but it was not regarded as anything other than a standard house-cat until the late 1930s, when a small number of 'Skaukatts' were shown in Germany and received very favorably by the judges. World War II brought an abrupt end to the fledgling Norwegian show cat industry, and the breed was forgotten until the 1970s. The cats are now being bred and shown in several countries including the United States. The first international association to accept the breed was FIFe, in 1977. They are rumored to be the early ancestors of the Maine Coon and the long-haired Manx.

Norwegian Forest Cats have a thick fluffy double-layered coat, tufted ears and a long bushy tail to protect them against the cold. Their coat is essentially waterproof due to its coarse outer layer and dense underlay. They are very large cats with adult males weighing 6 to 10 kg (13 to 22 lb), while females are approximately half that size. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs. They are very intelligent, playful cats that enjoy human company. The nickname of "Wegie" began in the United States and is a shortened version of the word Norwegian.

Behavior
Like Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats are an intelligent, robust and playful breed. They like the outdoors, are well suited to cold conditions and are great hunters. Despite their great affection for the outdoors, they also enjoy the company of humans and other pets and will sometimes go looking for company if left alone by their owners. They are not easily stressed and are quite patient, which makes them great for a family with children. They appreciate high vantage points and enjoy climbing trees, or, if they are indoor cats, climbing on appliances, bookshelves and other elevated surfaces in the home. Norwegian Forest Cats are very good family pets and do not need too much maintenance, only a brush every week at least.

Cat Breeds : Nebelung

The Nebelung is a characteristic and elegant cat breed which is just beginning to be recognized by breeders. Nebelungs typically have long bodies, wide-set green eyes, long and dense fur, and mild dispositions. The name Nebelung--apparently a portmanteau of the German word (Nebel) for Mist or Fog and a medieval Germanic saga, Nibelungenlied--is perhaps derived from the cat's distinctive silky blue-grey coat as well as from the breed's progenitors Siegfried and Brunhilde, named after two major figures in the Nibelungenlied.

Origin
The American foundation of this cat breed has been laid by the cats Siegfried (1984) and Brunhilde (1985). Cora Cobb, the owner of Siegfried and Brunhilde, was very impressed by the beauty of her beautiful blue/grey cats. Siegfried and Brunhilde looked like a Russian Blue but with a semi-long coat. To find out if it was possible to start a new breed with these cats Cora got in touch with the geneticist of the American Cat Association. This geneticist, DR. Solveig Pfleuger, told that the race was defined best as Semi- long haired Russian Blue. Supported by DR. Pfleuger, Cora Cobb wrote the breeding standard according to the blue Russian, but with a difference; its coat length.

In the breed standard of TICA, the first association which recognized the Nebelung, you can find the description of the breed. The goal of the Nebelung breeding program is to produce a blue cat with the same type as those imported from Russia in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and to combine this type with a thick shimmering coat of medium length. The body and tail are long, the ears large in proportion to the head and the eyes range in color from yellowish green to green. Size is medium and the body well muscled. The coat is medium long on the body, longer on the tail, with lighter colored guard hairs. The overall appearance is long, sturdy and well muscled.

Character
Nebelung cats are lively, playful, affectionate, good-natured and intelligent cats. In spite of the fact that it is an active cat, it can live very well indoors. The Nebelung prefers their own family and often keep a distance to strangers. It is, however, a cat which gladly accepts company of its people or of another cat.

Cat Breeds : Maine Coons

Physical characteristicsMaine Coons are very large and energetic cats, sometimes weighing up to around 11-12 kilograms (25 pounds); the average weight is 6 to 9 kilograms (13-20 pounds) for adult males and less (7-11 pounds) for females. Male Maine Coons may grow to a length in excess of 1 meter (40 inches); as of 2006, the longest cat on record is a male Maine Coon measuring 122cm (48 inches) in length. Growth to full size often takes longer than for most cats, with Maine Coons usually reaching full size at age four or five

The most common color/pattern in the breed is brown tabby.Color distribution of Maine Coon Cats Maine Coon online database; "database", "spreadsheet" : sire, dam.. Maine Coons are recognized in all colors, including tortoiseshell, except for chocolate, lavender, ticked tabby, and the point-restricted ("Siamese") pattern. Eye color also varies widely. All patterns may have green, green-gold, or gold. Blue eyes, or one blue eye with one gold eye, are possible in white coat cats. Some share similar facial markings, for example, a distinct "M" shape on the forehead.

Maine Coons have medium-long, dense fur, with longer hair, or a ruff, on their chests similar to the mane of a lion (which is why the breed is sometimes humorously called the "Mane Coon"). Their fur consists of two layers - an undercoat and an additional layer of longer guard hairs, which gives the breed their key physical feature. The fur is generally very soft. Maine Coons have long hair on the backs of their legs (called pantaloons or britches) and between their toes which helps to keep them warm in the cold. They also have bushy plumed tails and broad, angular heads, squared-off muzzles and wide-set ears topped with tufts of fur (known as 'Lynx-tips'). Their tails can be so bushy that the Maine Coon has earned the nickname the 'tail with a cat attached to it'.

Most Maine Coons keep their fur in good order without the need for additional human grooming. Maine Coons have large ears, which can be tipped at the end with fur. This is a common trait of a Maine Coon, giving them their Lynx-like appearance. Some Maine Coons may have tufts of fur growing from behind their ears on the sides of their heads. The appearance of these tufts can change over time, sometimes appearing quite large and sometimes being not all that noticeable.

There have always been a lot of polydactyl Maine Coons. While the Maine Coon may be polydactyl (having one or more extra toes on their paws), this trait, enjoyed by many, is not yet available in show cats - only in pet cats. This trait is finding a world-wide resurgence and is increasingly popular, as it seems to some, that the polydactyl Maine Coon exhibits even more dexterity and intelligence than the normal-footed. They are nick-named "snowshoe cat" because they can walk through snow more easily, but most often though, they are simply called polys.

Polydactyl bloodlines have long been and continue to be registered to preserve these bloodlines of the breed. Modern show types are rarely polys. However, polydactyls are indeed behind many show champions around the world. The show type "breeds" still ignores the Maine Coon Polydactyl Standard and has culled this vast poly portion of the original gene pool (characteristics and features) from the show types.

The original poly incidence was estimated to be around 40%. Centuries ago it was highly likely that a poly cat from Maine would be a Maine Coon. Polydactylism was (and still is) a distinct visible indicator of a coon-cat's original, natural Maine heritage. Native Maine origin coon-cats still exist and are essential to the health and survival of the breed.

In a mating of heterozygous parents the kittens are 25% normal-footed, 50% heterozygous for polydactyly, 25% homozygous for polydactyly on average.

Behavioral characteristics
Maine Coons are a breed distinguished by high intelligence, dexterity, and playfulness. They have a tendency to use their front paws extensively (often curling the paw round to pick objects up) and as a consequence will easily learn to open cabinet doors, turn on water faucets, flush toilets, or pick up small objects. Some Maine Coons will eat, or even drink, from their paws, rather than from the bowl itself.

Due to their above-average intelligence, Maine Coons are known to be one of the easiest cat breeds to train. Maine Coons are noted for their ability to trill their meows, which sounds like a combination of a purr and a meow, and they tend to make this sound when happy or startled. When they do meow, it tends to be very high in pitch, in comparison to other breeds. They are noted for rarely eating alone, preferring to eat in the company of other cats or humans. Maine Coons are not known to be "lap cats" but of course, this may depend on the individual cat and some may prefer laps.
Some Maine Coons enjoy playing with, but not usually in, water. They may dip toys in their water bowls before playing with them, or just tip the water bowl over. They may also skim their paws across the surface of their water bowl or dunk their paw in and drink water from their paws.

Maine Coons can be very dog-like in their behavior. Playing fetch is a favorite game. As with dogs, they will bring their ball, drop it at the feet of their intended playmate and wait for the ball to be thrown. They will often accompany their owner on chores like getting the mail, walking the dog, and may also come when beckoned, even if outside. Maine Coons are typically very calm and listen to their owners.

Cat Breeds : Javanese

The Javanese is a recognized breed of cat. Javanese have a long, silky coat, that comes in a variety of colors. Javanese cats, like their Siamese relatives, are noted as being very intelligent and talkative. Similar in coat style to the Balinese, Javanese are pointed cats that fall outside of the typically accepted point colors seen in Balinese cats (seal, blue, chocolate and lilac). Instead, Javanese are referred to as colorpoint cats, showing odd or rare colors, such as red or white, as well as patterns such as tabby and tortie. As they are directly related to Siamese and Balinese cats, they can suffer from some of the same genetic defects. Generally, these defects are bred out of the active lines and are becoming rare. They are very social cats which can become depressed if they are left alone too often. They are generally very playful pets, and are markedly good at jumping. However, they do have a tendency to become overweight if they do not receive adequate exercise. Javanese are also quite vocal, and most will "talk" for no particular reason.

Cat Breeds : Himilayans

The Himilayans, also called colorpoint Persian and colloquially referred to as Himmy, is a breed of cat with extremely long, fluffy fur, and the blue eyes and the points of a Siamese. Himilayan is the American term, while in Europe they are referred to as colorpoint Persians.

They were bred from Siamese (for the markings) and Persians (for coat-length and temperament), and share the characteristics of both breeds. Himilayans are now considered the same breed for cat registries (CFA), (TICA) as the modern Persian show cat since they have the exact same conformation with a pointed coat.

The body of a Himilayan is white or cream, but the points come in many different colors: blue, brown, lilac, chocolate, flame, red and cream. The points can also be tabby or tortoiseshell-patterned. Both the chocolate and lilac point Himalayan are the most difficult to produce. These color traits are autosomal recessive, meaning both parents must possess the gene in order for any offspring to express the trait.

These cats are sweet-tempered, intelligent and generally very social and good companions. Because of their heritage from the Siamese cats they tend to be more active than Persians. They are more prone to hairballs than other breeds. Due to the amount of inbreeding involved in breeding these cats commercially, they are prone to genetic deformities and have a greater likelihood for developing inherited problems such as joint problems, organ abnormalities, and particularly Polycystic kidney disease among other diseases.

Like many long-haired cats, Himilayans need to be brushed daily to keep their coats looking their best and healthiest. In addition, they may need their face wiped daily, depending on the cat. Bathing a Himalayan is also recommended by some breeders, to help reduce the amount of oil on the cat's fur and skin.

Facial Features
Himilayans display a marked split in their facial features, as some (the "Peeked" or "Ultra-Face" variety) are incredibly Persian-like with a squashed "frowning" mouth, no break in the nose, and squinting eyes (see the Cream point cat at lower right) and yet some (the more traditional "Doll-Face" variety) have very large, round eyes, and display an almost Burmese or Tonkinese pointedness about their muzzle, with a definite break in the nose (see the Seal Point at upper right). This is due to the prominence of either Siamese or Persian genes which the cat was bred from, and both styles are considered equally "Himalayan", though the "Peeked" version is considered a recent development (1970's to 1980's).

Cat Breeds : Chantilly/Tiffany

The Chantilly/Tiffany is a feline with a semi-foreign body style and a full semi-long coat. The coat is silky, soft and smooth; the lack of undercoat usually makes grooming simpler than that of cats with an undercoat. Somewhat a late bloomer, the Chantilly/Tiffany is slow to mature and usually does not come into its full stature until about two years old. The eye color of the feline intensifies with age.The head should be a broad, modified wedge with gentle curves. it should have a medium length nose and a strong,broad, short softly squared muzzle and defined but not obvious whisker pads

Originally found only in the color of chocolate, Tiffany/Chantilly now occurs in a range of colors including Chocolate, blue, cinnamon, lilac, and fawn. Accepted patterns are solid, mackerel, ticked, and spotted tabby. The color is rich; shading in solids may occur toward the underside. The overall impression of the ideal Chantilly would be a semiforeign cat of striking appearance resulting from the combination of its rich color and full, silky semi-longhair coat, plumed tail, contrasting neck ruff, and ear furnishings.

Cat Breeds : British Semi-Longhair

The British Semi-Longhair cat is a semi-longhair version of British Shorthair. Apart from fur, it is identical to the British Shorthair. The British Longhair is also known as the Lowlander in the U.S. and the Britanica in Europe, but is not recognised in the UK as a separate breed.

The rationale for this breed is that the original longhaired British cat, through interbreeding with imported longhairs, was developed into the Persian and became increasingly massive and extreme in type and with longer, thicker fur than the early Persians. During the late 19th century and early 20th century, the Persian was considered the longhaired analogue of the British Shorthair (Frances Simpson's The Book of the Cat depicts and describes the old type of Persian).

During the latter part of the 20th century a shorthaired version of the modern Persian was developed and was called the Exotic Shorthair; this was very different from the British Shorthair. It was therefore proposed that a longhaired cat of the British type be reintroduced into the cat fancy.

Cat Breeds : Birmans

Birmans have semi-long, silky hair, a semi-cobby body and relatively small ears compared to other cat races. In order to comply with breed standards, the Birman's body should be of an eggshell colour or golden, depending on the intensity of the markings colour. The markings can be pure seal, chocolate, blue, red, lilac or cream. Tabby variations are also allowed. Tortie cats can be seal, chocolate, blue or lilac. Birmans have sapphire coloured eyes.

The Birman's coat is unusual due to the white 'gloves' on each paw. They are the only cat breed in the colourpoint coat that has fingers and toes in pure white colour. The genetics of this feature is still unclear.

Cat Breeds : Balinese

The Balinese is a breed of oriental cat with long hair and Siamese-style markings, or points. They resemble a Siamese with a medium-length silky coat and a plumed tail, but not nearly as fluffy as a Himalayan, and they require much less grooming. Balinese are extremely intelligent cats, although less talkative than their Siamese ancestors.

The Balinese was originally registered as a 'longhaired Siamese', and examples were known from the early 1920s. The occasional long-haired kittens in a Siamese litter were seen as an oddity, and sold as household pets rather than as show cats. This changed in the mid-1950s, when two breeders, Mrs. Marion Dorsey of Rai-Mar Cattery in California and Mrs. Helen Smith of MerryMews Cattery in New York, decided that they would commence a breeding program for the longhaired cats. Helen Smith named the cats 'Balinese' because she felt they showed the grace and beauty of Balinese dancers, and because 'longhaired Siamese' seemed a rather clunky name for such graceful felines. The breed became quite popular after this, and a number of breeders began working on 'perfecting' the Balinese appearance. This led eventually to the development of two entirely separate 'strands' of Balinese cat - some owners prefer a traditional or 'apple-headed' Balinese, while breeders and judges tend to prefer a more contemporary appearance.

Like the Siamese, there are now two different varieties of Balinese being bred and shown - 'traditional' Balinese and 'contemporary' Balinese. The traditional Balinese cat has a coat approximately two inches long over its entire body and it is a sturdy and robust cat with a semi-rounded muzzle and ears. The traditional Balinese closely resembles a Ragdoll cat although they do not share any of the same genes or breeding other than having a partially Siamese ancestry. A 'contemporary' Balinese has a much shorter coat and is virtually identical to a standard show Siamese except for its tail, which is a graceful silky plume. The Balinese is basically a Siamese. The Balinese has the same long, slim body, wedge-shaped head, and vivid blue eyes. Its soft, ermine-like coat is short in comparison to those of other longhaired cats, and doesn't form a ruff.

HISTORY- The Balinese was a spontaneous mutation in Siamese litters in the U.S. in the 1950s.

TEMPERAMENT- Like the Siamese, the Balinese loves attention; it is very playful and fond of human company.

In most associations, the Balinese is accepted in a full range of colors, including the four traditional Siamese point colors of seal, blue, chocolate, and lilac, as well as less traditional colors such as red and cream, and patterns such as lynx (tabby) point and tortie point. However, in CFA, the Balinese is only accepted in the four traditional Siamese colors; all other colors and patterns are considered Javanese (cat)

Cat Breeds : American Longhair

The American Longhair is the result of an experiment that went wrong. Breeders were trying to produce an American Shorthair with the shimmering coat and green eyes of a silver shaded Perisn: instead they got the Persian in a shorter coat and leaner body. At first, it was proposed that these longhaired silver cats could be devleoped under the name "Silver Longhair", but more colors emerged and the American Longhair was born instead. Similair crosses of Persiand and British Shorthairs were also made, and other cats used in the development of the breed are known to have included the Burmese and even Russian Shorthairs, but once the longhaired coat had been achieved, these crosses were always bred back to Persian for coat length. In the early stages there was some resistance from persian breeder, but the American Longhair is now accepted in some registries and is quickly becoming more popular in Europe and North America.

 Form and character
Because the shorthaired trait is recessive, the American Longhair still produces shorthaired variants. The shortened face means the the American Longhair can suffer the same breathing problems as their longhaired cousins, and polycystic kidney disease also present in the breed. Tear-duct conditions are common too, caused by the libricating tears failing to drain down the nasolacrimal duct into the nose and then overflowing down the face. When exposed to air, clear colorless tears stain a deep mahogany color. This is more aesthetic than a medical problem. The breed's soft, plush coat is thinner and somewhat shorter than many longhair coats, and it benefits from a little additional grooming to keep it looking its best. The coat, the flattened face, and the generally square, lean build have led to American Longhairs being likened to Domestic Longhairs, and image that has not done much for their popularity. They have soft, quiet voices, and while they are generally more active than Persians, they remain self-contained and easygoing pets.

Cat Breeds : Aegean cat

Characteristics
The coat of an Aegean Cat is semi-longhaired, without down hair, with a moderate ruff and a rich tail. The Aegean Cat's coat provides good protection during the harsh winter weather and sheds out short for the summer. The coat is bicolor or tricolor; one of the colors is always white, without signs of yellowing and takes up between 1/3 to 2/3 of the body. Other colors can be black, red, blue, cream, with or without stripes.

The Aegean Cat is a medium-size breed, with a sturdy and muscular build, without signs of obesity. The body is long, with strong, medium-size feet and round-shaped paws. The tail is moderately long, straight, without kinks. The head is medium-size, wide but not round. The ears have a wide base and rounded tips and are covered by hairs. The eyes have an oriental shape and their color can be any shade of green.

Origins
The Aegean Cat originates from the Cycladic Islands in the Aegean Sea, where they occur naturally. Since it is one of the newest cat breeds, it is believed that it could be among the rarest; however, they seem to be ubiquitous throughout Greece. They are much liked for their character and intelligence. In rural areas, they are often seen as the best method of pest control, because they are very capable predators.

 Aegean Cats as pets
Although the Aegean Cat has only very recently begun to be bred systematically, has been domesticated for many centuries and thus has become adapted very well to humans. It is a social pet that tolerates living in an apartment rather well. It is intelligent, active and lively and also communicative, not hesitating to draw a person's attention.

Dog Breeds : American Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel is a gundog breed of dog little known outside North America

Weight: 25-45 pounds (11-20 kg.)
Height: 15-18 inches (36-46 cm.)
Coat: Crisp-textured, tightly curled or wavy outer coat lined with a protective undercoat
Litter size: 4-6 puppies
Life span: 12-15

Weighing 25 to 45 pounds: females usually 25 to 40; males 30 to 45 lbs (11-20 kg) and standing 15 to 18 inches (36-46 cm) in height.

They have a curly to marcell coat that is dense and well-suited to resist cold water and inclement weather. The coat's color is liver, brown, or chocolate. (A small amount of white on chest or toes is permissible, and spots become smaller in size as pup grows to adulthood.) The American Water Spaniel (AWS) should have a rocker-shaped tail and be somewhat compact in size with well-proportioned features that give the dog an air of balance. Its head should be broad and spaniel-like with no topknot. Eyes are yellowish brown to brown, hazel or of dark tone and should harmonize with coat. Yellow eyes are a disqualification in the show ring.

Temperament
An American original, this competent retriever also doubles as a flushing spaniel. Like many of the spaniel breeds, it hunts both feather and fur (and even fish) with equal enthusiasm. Friendly, intelligent, and often willing to please, this dog is also very protective of its owner. In old age the dog may become temperamental. This dog is very soft-mouthed but can be trained to play tug-of-war. It will be very attached to the alpha of the house and think of children as kennel mates until they grow up. Unspayed females will have a mind of their own when in heat (even when very well trained). This little brown dog also has many of the common spaniel characteristics.

The AWS has a mind of its own at times and reaches peak performance with the owner who is dedicated to teaching the dog just what is expected of it. The breed takes well to training, and especially excels at training that offers some variety rather than rote training drills. Harsh training techniques do not work for the majority of AWS. In fact, such techniques often cause a dog to become shy or even bite out of fear. This is a breed for the trainer that is consistent and fair when dealing with the dog.
American Water Spaniels do not have to hunt to be happy. They make fine companion animals and, because of their size, they fit well in cramped quarters. However, the breed does need exercise and training to mature into a loving friend that some people look for. To avoid possessiveness, excessive barking, and a willingness to take over the household, novice owners should attend a local obedience class and set aside daily play time for their companion.

Health
While there is no one health issue that plagues the American Water Spaniel, neither is it free of health concerns. A variety of problems have cropped up from time to time in the breed including cardiac abnormalities, cancer, hip dysplasia, diabetes, allergies, hypothyroidism, follicular dystrophy, epilepsy, and cataracts. All AWS used for breeding should receive health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hips, heart, and hypothyroidism as well as an eye clearance from the Canine Eye Registration Foundation. All reputable breeders offer and supply the puppy buyer with a written health guarantee covering these more common health concerns.

History
The American Water Spaniel originated around the mid-1800s but its true origin is a mystery. Most experts have come to accept that it was likely developed in the Fox River and Wolf River valleys of Wisconsin. There is no documentation as to the specific breeds that were used to develop the AWS. Doc Pfeifer of New London, Wisconsin, the man credited with obtaining recognition for the breed in the 1920s, believed that the AWS was developed by crossing extinct English Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel. Others have disputed this claim and it is currently accepted that the breeds involved in the development of the American Water Spaniel include the English Water Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Tweed Water Spaniel, and possibly the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
The American Water Spaniel was developed as a hunting dog in the market hunting days of America's history. Hunters needed a dog that could function on land as well as in the marsh and that could easily fit into a canoe or skiff without taking up much room. The AWS fit the bill and most breed historians note that Midwest market hunters made wide use of this dog. The AWS was not formally recognized as a purebred dog until the United Kennel Club did so in 1920, followed by the Field Dog Stud Book in 1938, and finally by the American Kennel Club in 1940.
Having reached its peak of popularity probably sometime in the 1920s and 1930s, the AWS has become the "Forgotten American" at many times in its history. Still, with the tenacity of spirit that exemplifies this little brown dog, the breed's enthusiasts have managed to maintain a reasonable population that is not likely to disappear from the scene any time soon.
The American Water Spaniel was likely one of the primary contributing breeds to the Boykin Spaniel.

Dog Breeds : American Staffordshire Terrier

American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a breed of dog. The breed is a relative of the American Pit Bull Terrier. Early Bulldog–Terrier crosses were brought to the US with the British and Irish settlers, especially after the Civil War, where they were mainly used as fighting dogs, but also as hunting dogs and farm and guard dogs.
In the early 1830s animal fights, especially the formerly extremely popular bull-baiting and bearbaiting (the roots of which go back to the old Roman arenas) became illegal in old Britain and Ireland, after the Human Ethics Act passed. From then on the people began to organize ratfights and dogfights, because they were much easier to hide from the officials than fights with big game like bulls. At first, little terrier strains were used in the rat- and dog-fights, such as the old white English terrier and its black and tan cousin, today known as the Manchester Terrier, which were known for their extreme prey drive and gameness. Some of these dogs were crossed with bulldogs, to create a breed which retained the abilities of the terriers, but with the strength and jaw grip of the bulldogs.

Responsible owners and breeders provide American Staffordshire Terriers with humane, responsible ownership, often training these dogs for community service tasks such as pet therapy and search and rescue.
There are also 'Amstaff' charitable organizations that rescue and rehabilitate abused, abandoned, or stray dogs, placing them into foster or adoptive homes.

American Staffordshire Terriers were first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936. They are a member of the Terrier and Molosser groups.

Weight: 45–70 pounds (25–30 kg)
Height: 17–19 inches (43–48 cm)
Coat: Thick, shiny hair, short
Litter size: 5–15 puppies
Life span: 9–18 years

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized dog that ranges from 40 to 50 cm (17 to 20 inches) at the withers, and weighs from 26 to 30 kg (50 to 70 pounds).

The dog is of square build, and gives the impression of great strength, agility, and grace for their size. They should be stocky, not long-legged or racy in outline. The chest is deep and broad, but should not be too wide. The neck should be strong, and well arched.
The coat is short and glossy. Any color, solid, partial, or patched is permissible, but all white, more than 80 per cent white, black and tan, and liver are not to be encouraged.

Temperament
These dogs should be courageous, tenacious, friendly, extremely attentive, and extraordinarily devoted. Bred to be extremely friendly towards humans, American Staffordshire Terriers are not natural guard dogs. An overly protective and/or aggressive behavior, accompanied by fearlessness, is generally a bad sign. These dogs are good with children and owners, can sometimes get along with other dogs, cats and any other animal if raised properly and introduced through puppy years. They can be aggressive if not socialized properly.
These dogs learn quickly from the subtlest of our behaviors. They are thus not only highly responsive during training, but also pick up good habits, such as house training. This can become a problem when an owner unknowingly allows the dog to pick up bad behaviors. A typical training regimen should begin at 8 to 10 weeks of age. It has been proven that Positive Reinforcement Training works very well in these fine animals. For reading on the subject:

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a loyal companion dog. He also requires a very large amount of time for rough, or hard working play. Weight pulling, and agility training are what he favors most. He likes to run, but with a proper harness, he loves to pull a skateboard or rollerblading kid. A pull rope hung from a tree encourages self motivating play, but your AmStaff type breed really wants to enjoy playtime with you and the kids.

Similarities to other Bull Terriers
The American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier are closely related breeds, sharing a common ancestry as recently as the 1960s when the Staffordshire Terrier Studbook was re-opened and then closed to UKC registered American Pit Bull Terriers.

Breed-specific legislation
Areas that have passed breed specific legislation banning or restricting the ownership of Pit Bulls and "pit bull type" dogs most often also ban the Amstaff, as the Amstaff is without a doubt an offspring and sister breed of the APBT. Most often, dogs are judged solely on their looks. Current practice for Pet Rescue facilities dictates that these most maligned animals go to very stable homes with solid family values. A very deep application process is normally involved with adoption to insure that the AmStaff or typical breed dog goes where it will be properly trained and cared for in a permanent family environment.

Dog Breeds : American Pit Bull Terrier

American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier was first recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in the late 19th century. The UKC was the first registry to do so, with U.K.C. founder C.Z. Bennett assigning U.K.C. registration number 1 to his own APBT, Bennett's Ring in 1898. It should be noted that the American Pit Bull Terrier was also the first breed to be registered by the organization.

Sometime during the nineteenth century, dog fanciers in England, Ireland, and Scotland began to experiment with crosses between Bulldogs and Terriers, looking for a dog that combined the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog.

Immigrants brought these bull and terrier crosses to the United States. Farmers and ranchers used their APBTs for protection, as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, to drive livestock, and as family companions.

Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier continues to demonstrate its versatility, competing successfully in Obedience, Tracking to include Search & Rescue (SAR), Agility, Protection, and Weight Pulls, as well as Conformation.

In recent years, the American Pit Bull Terrier's image has been compromised by frequent media coverage concerning dog-fighting rings and attacks on humans. Advocates of the breed argue that irresponsible or neglectful owners as well as media sensationalism are largely to blame for this reputation.

Appearance
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog, solidly built, with a short coat and smooth, well-defined muscle structure. The dog's appearance is powerful and athletic without being bulky or muscle bound. The length of the front leg is approximately half of the dog's height at the highest part of the back. The American Pit Bull Terrier's weight is roughly between 35 and 65 pounds. The dog's head is in proportion to the rest of its body with a triangular shape, a broad, flat skull and a wide, deep muzzle. The eyes are set well apart, sit low on the skull, and are round to almond shaped. The ears are small to medium in length and may be natural or cropped. The nose may be any color. The neck is muscular and moderate in length. Dogs' forequarters have long, wide shoulder blades, are muscular, and well laid back. The hindquarters are strong and muscular, moderately broad and in balance with the forequarters. Females have slightly longer bodies than males, while males have slightly bigger limbs than females. The tail is thick and tapers to a point. The coat is glossy, smooth, short, and slightly coarse and can be any color with sometimes extremely large breast which show through like waistcoats

Temperament
The APBT is a strong-willed, sturdy companion. It is a breed that is loyal to friends and family, and friendly to strangers. With guidance from it's handlers, APBTs are obedient and show a high desire to please. However, when left without direction they can become stubborn and may become aggressive.
According to a study done by CDC , APBTs account for the majority of fatalities in the US among all breeds. During the years 1979 - 1996, 60 people have been killed by APBTs. The breed with the next highest fatalities is the Rottweiler with 29.

A well bred APBT should have a stable and dependable temperament. The American Temperament Testing Society shows a pass percentage of 84.3% for American Pit Bull Terrier, a 0.2% more passing rate then the commonly considered 'family dogs' such as Golden Retrievers. However, a firm, even hand and early obedience training are strongly recommended for this breed. They generally have a lot of energy and high prey drive; they need exercise and stimulation in order to channel their energy properly and not become frustrated, bored, and destructive.

APBTs often display dog aggression, especially towards unfamiliar dogs of the same sex or level of assertiveness.  Early socialization and good training can mean that many individuals of the breed may not display this trait. However, with proper training and socialization, pit bulls are not aggressive and can even make excellent service animals. Pit bulls have been used for everything from cheering up hospital patients,search and rescue, and even sniffing drugs for the DEA.

When selecting an APBT puppy, it is paramount to find a breeder who selective breeds for sound temperament and good health. A quality breeder will know the breed standard as set by a reputable breed registry such as the UKC or the ADBA (the AKC does not recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier) and should both health and temperament test their breeding stock. A breeder who boasts about their dogs' "guard dog" skills or "protective" behavior is an indicator that their dogs may be inappropriately bred for human aggression and very probably are not pure APBTs. It is a good idea for prospective APBT owners to research the breeder, ask for references and ask to see their facilities and the parents of the prospective puppy.

Adult pit bulls are frequently also available from animal shelters. Reputable shelters will temperament test their dogs before adoption, so that only dogs with stable temperaments are available for adoption.The advantage of obtaining an adult dog from a shelter is that the dog's temperament is already known, and a dog with low dog aggression or low prey drive can be selected if desired.

Activities
Being intelligent, athletic dogs, American Pit Bull Terriers excel in many dog sports, including weight pulling, dog agility, flyball, lure coursing and advanced obedience competition. Some pit bulls have been known to do well in schutzhund as well. Out of the 25 dogs who have earned UKC "superdog" status (by gaining championship titles in conformation, obedience, agility, and weightpull), fourteen have been pit bulls.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a working dog and is suitable for a wide range of working disciplines due to their intelligence, high energy and endurance. In the United States they have been used as search and rescue dogs that save lives, police dogs performing narcotics and explosives detection, Border Patrol dogs, hearing dogs to provide services to the deaf, as well as general service dogs.

American Pit Bull Terriers and the law
American Pit Bull Terriers have historically been and are still commonly used for dog fighting. Although dog fighting is illegal in the United States and many other countries, it is still practiced, and is usually accompanied by gambling. In the United States participating in dog fighting is a felony in 49 states, and United States federal law prohibits interstate transport of dogs for fighting purposes.

Due to the nature of dog fighting and the image of the Pit Bull as a "tough" dog, American Pit Bull Terriers can be subjected to severe abuse and often end up in the custody of animal control services, where they are routinely euthanized.A large percentage of dogs euthanized in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles are pit bull type breeds.

In the United Kingdom, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits the sale or breeding of "any dog of the type known as pit bull terrier." Some jurisdictions in the Australian states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the United States have similar breed-specific legislation, varying from a total ban on ownership to muzzling in public. Similarly, in Ontario, Canada, the ownership of APBTs has been banned in the Dog Owners' Liability Act.

As of August 29, 2005, the "owning, breeding, transferring, importing or abandoning" of APBTs is illegal in Ontario, Canada, given that it was found that the APBT breed "poses a danger to the public".
Beginning in 1993, after three serious incidents, it was forbidden in The Netherlands to breed pit bulls or pit bull like dogs. Pitbulls and pitbull like dogs without a FCI pedigree could be impounded by authorities and put to sleep. However, in June 2008, the Dutch government said it would lift the breed specific ban on pit bulls because of its ineffectiveness at reducing bite incidents.

History
Although the exact history of the breed of dog known as the American Pit Bull Terrier is unknown it is generally agreed that they are descended from bull-and-terrier crosses brought to America from England and Ireland in the 1800s. The Bull and Terrier type dogs were created by crossing the English working Bulldog with English hunting Terriers. The Bulldog that is the ancestor of the APBT was used for many types of work including baiting, fighting, stock work, hunting, and as a farm dog. When bull-baiting was outlawed in England by the Cruelty to Animals act in 1835 along with dogfighting, illegal dogfighting gained popularity since it is much easier to organize and conceal than a bull-baiting contest.
Fighting dogs were bred for strength, speed and gameness, or the willingness to see a task through to its conclusion regardless of serious threat of injury or death. While fighting dogs in England were not necessarily a singular breed of dog but rather a type of dog bred for gameness from different stock, in the USA the breed solidified and was named the American Pit Bull Terrier. Breeders knew that a dog like this could be dangerous to people and difficult to control if it were aggressive toward people, so breeders would look for the crucial trait of nonaggression towards humans. Fighting dogs that showed aggression towards its owner or handler were routinely killed and thus removed from the gene pool. This resulted a line of strong dogs that, while aggressive towards dogs and other animals, would be much gentler with people.
In the late 1800s to early 1900s, two clubs were formed for the specific purpose of registering APBTs: the United Kennel Club and the American Dog Breeder's Association. The United Kennel Club was founded with the registration of an American Pit Bull Terrier and was the first registry to recognize the breed.
As dog fighting declined in popularity in the United States in the early 20th century, many dog owners wanted to legitimize the breed and distance it from its fighting roots. The name "Staffordshire Terrier" was adopted by some owners and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936. Later, the word "American" was added to reduce confusion with its smaller British cousin, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Not all breeders, however, agreed with the standard adopted by the AKC, and continued to use the name American Pit Bull Terrier for their lines. Much confusion still remains in regards to the APBT, the AST, and the SBT. Once an extremely popular family dog in the United States (in fact, the dog in the Our Gang aka The Little Rascals movies and in Buster Brown was an APBT), the American Pit Bull Terrier's popularity began to decline in the United States following World War II in favor of other breeds.

Dog Breeds : American Mastiff

American Mastiff
American Mastiff is a term that refers to a molosser-type dog that is a cross between and English Mastiff and an Anatolian Mastiff dog. They are recognized by the Continental Kennel Club.

General
In an attempt to address issues of hip displasia, drooling, and a short lifespan, Fredericka Wagner of Flying W Farms crossed the English Mastiff with an Anatolian Mastiff. The result was the American Mastiff. The new breed looks very similar to the English Mastiff, and is said to drool less. This line is relatively new, so it is ineligible for registration in most breed registries; registries with less stringent requirements may recognize a new breed with recent history, such as the Continental Kennel Club's recognition of the line in 2000. American Mastiffs were bred to be family dogs, not show dogs. There are 10 authorized breeders in North America which comprise the American Mastiff Breeders Council (AMBC)and whose dogs' bloodlines can be traced exclusively back to Flying W Farms. This is not the same as a Panja, which has lines of Pitbull and Rottweiler.

Description
The head should be wide, heavy and rectangular in shape with high-set, rounded ears. A medium-sized muzzle should be well-proportioned to the rest of the head. The neck should be powerful with a slight arch, leading to a straight, muscular back. The chest should be deep, broad and well-rounded. Forelegs should be strong, straight and set well apart, while the hind legs should be wide and parallel. The dog should be 28 to 34 inches at the shoulder, and females should weigh between 140 and 180 pounds while males should weigh between 160 and 200 pounds.American Mastiff puppies are usually dark in color; however, as they mature their color tends to lighten. Common American Mastiff colors are fawn, apricot and brindle.The dog should have a temperament that is loving and devoted to its family, especially children. A loyal and calm dog, it should be non-aggressive except when its family is threatened. In those instances they become fierce and courageous guard dogs.

Even though American Mastiff dogs are of the largest breeds, they don't tend to be plagued by many of the health problems that are common in other larger breeds. In fact, they are generally healthy and happy dogs. Contrary to some other large breeds, this breed of Mastiff dog will get along perfectly well in an apartment as long as they are exercised daily. This can be a daily walk. Usually even a small fenced yard will do just fine. Though they probably wouldn't choose to exercise daily, a steady routine will keep them more fit and happier. It is good for their mental and physical health to be out and walking regularly. And, of course, a leashed walk in public is best.

Temperament
The American Mastiff love children and are totally devoted to their families. Dignity rather than gaiety; quiet, calm, loving and loyal. Protective, but not aggressive; they are non-aggressive except in those instances when their family, especially the children, are threatened. In those instances they become courageous defenders. They are wise, kind and gentle, patient and understanding, very loving with their own people, neither shy nor vicious, they are loyal, and devoted. Since these dogs are of the Mastiff type and grow to be very large, this breed needs an owner who knows how to display strong leadership.

Height, Weight
Height: 28-36 inches (65-91 cm.) Weight: Males 160 to over 200 pounds (72-90 kg.) Females 140-180 pounds (63-81 kg.)

Health Problems
American Mastiffs tend to be healthy happy dogs with fewer reported incidents of many of the health problems you see in other large breeds.

Living Conditions
American Mastiffs do just fine in an apartment with daily exercise, a walk will do, or a run in a fenced in yard. As they grow older they tend to become a little lazy. They are relatively inactive indoors ("couch potatoes") and a small yard will do.

Exercise
Mastiffs are inclined to be lazy but they will keep fitter and happier if given regular exercise. Like all dogs, the American Mastiff should be taken on daily regular walks to help release it's mental and physical energy. It's in a dogs nature to walk. They should always be leashed in public. The American Mastiff can do acceptably in a small household or apartment if he is sufficiently exercised. They are comparatively inactive indoors, so their ideal living conditions would consist of at least a small yard. The American Mastiff has a propensity to become lazy, but they will have a better quality of life if exercise is initiated.

Health
American Mastiffs typically live for 10 to 12 years.

Dog Breeds : American Foxhound

American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is a breed of dog that is cousin to the English Foxhound. They are scent hounds, bred to hunt foxes by scent.

Nicknames Foxhound Country of origin United States
Weight Male 65-75 pounds (29-34kg)
Height Male 21-25 inches (53-64cm)
Coat Short, hard Color red, tri, black n tan, blue
Litter size 1-12 puppies
Life span 10-12 years

Appearance
While standards call for the American Foxhound to be about 21-25 inches (530-640 mm) tall to the withers, and weigh anywhere between 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), many of them are larger in structure (especially the show strains), with males standing 26-29 inches (660-740 mm) and females 25-28 inches (640-710 mm) and smaller in weight, typically between 40-65 pounds (20-29 kg). Some breeders have theorized that this is due to the considerably improved diet the dogs receive. For years it was traditional to feed Foxhounds on a diet of "dog bread", a variation on cornbread. The legs of a Foxhound are very long and straight-boned. The foxhound’s chest is rather narrow. It has a long muzzle, and a large, domed skull. The ears are wide and low-set. The eyes are hazel or brown, and are large and wide-set. The coat is short and harsh. Overall, they are very similar to the Beagle, only standing higher and being larger. There coats come in four colors, red, tri, black n tan, and blue.

Temperament
The American Foxhound is sweet, kind, loyal, and very loving at a home. As with all hounds they need careful training, constant socialization, and owners who are willing to give them ample exercise: a bored foxhound will find ways to keep themselves entertained and can be very destructive, some examples of destruction include everything from scratching at doors to tearing apart objects and, being rather long, they have the ability to take things from counter-tops. If routine walks are not an option, access to a secure yard is a good alternative; however the best option would be constant access via a dog door and a secure yard.
Intelligent creatures as they are, many foxhounds quickly learn to open gates or scale small fences to go wandering. While on the hunt the foxhound is a warrior, once a scent is picked up he or she will follow it neglecting any commands. Because their hunting instinct is strong they should never be trusted off-lead. Foxhounds are rarely street savvy and will follow a scent trail into the street where they could get hit by a car.
Foxhounds are easy to live with and thrive as members of a family; however, they are not ideal apartment dogs and shouldn't be left alone indoors for extended periods of time. They do however, get along very well with children, especially small children; although one must always keep an eye when children and animals are interacting as it is not beyond any animal to bite or claw when they feel they are threatened.
Foxhounds do not make good watchdogs; while more skittish hounds may howl when they see a newcomer, more often than not they will greet the newcomer affectionately hoping for treats or scratches behind the ears. This is due to centuries of breeding; any hound that growled or bared its teeth at its master would not be bred or in some cases put down.

Most scent hounds are bred to give "voice". Foxhounds are not nuisance barkers but they do have loud, deep voices that carry a great distance. Although most people love the sound, many urban or suburban neighbors do not appreciate the deep barks or melodious howling of a foxhound.
They cannot be expected to act like retrievers because, though affectionate, they are independent by nature. Although a few foxhounds have been trained in obedience, most will not follow commands unless it suits them. Training a foxhound can be a trying experience, training a retired foxhound that grew up in a Fox Hunt can be even worse, they can be stubborn and don’t respond to negative reinforcement well.

Health
This breed is not generally a breed that carries genetic disorders. Overfeeding these dogs can easily cause them to gain weight. A minor health risk in American Foxhounds is thrombocytopathy, or platelet disease. While dysplasia was largely unknown in Foxhounds, it is beginning to crop up occasionally, along with some eye issues. It is not typical or customary for Foxhound breeders to screen for any hereditary disorders at this time.

The breed's lifespan is generally 10-13 years.
The American Foxhound is an energetic breed. It needs plenty of exercise, for example, a fairly long walk followed by a game of fetch.

History
In 1650, Robert Brooke sailed to Crown Colony in America with his pack of hunting dogs, which were the root of several strains of American Hounds. These dogs remained in the Brooke family for nearly 300 years.
George Washington received French Foxhounds, Grand Bleu de Gascogne, (which look much like an American Bluetick hound) as a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette. Many of the dogs Washington kept were descended from Brooke’s, and when crossed with the French hounds, helped to create the present day American Foxhound.
Though there has long been a rumor that the new breed was originally used for hunting Indigenous peoples of the Americas, this is not true. The breed was developed by landed gentry purely for the sport of hunting foxes. With the importation (or migration) of the red fox, Irish Foxhounds were added to the lines, to increase speed and stamina in the dog, qualities still prevalent in today's dogs.
Today there are several different strains of American Foxhound, including Walker, Goodman, Trigg, July and Penn-Marydel. Though the different strains look quite different, they are all recognized as members of the same breed. Most show hounds are Walkers, many of the pack hounds (used with hunting foxes on horseback) are Penn-Marydel and hunters use a variety of strains to suit their hunting style and quarry.

Dog Breeds : American Eskimo Dog

American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is a breed of companion dog and semi-sled dog originating in the USA. In addition to serving as a companion, it has been used as a watchdog, sled dog, and also achieved a high degree of popularity in the 1930s and 1940s United States as a circus performer even as early as 1917 at the Cooper Brother's Railroad Circus. One of many American Eskimo Dogs to walk a tightrope was an American Eskimo by the name of Stout's Pal Pierre in the Barnum & Bailey Circus. "PR" Stout's Pal Pierre was from a long line of American Eskimos used in Barnum and Bailey's Circus acts. Pierre's grandfather was the first known dog in the world to walk a tight rope. The breed became popular as circuses would sell the puppies during their travels across the nation. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1994 and set the current standard for the breed. The United Kennel Club had recognized the breed long before 1994, and there is no difference between the two breed standards except that the AKC recognizes the toy size, while the UKC does not. The American Eskimo Dog was accepted into the Canadian Kennel Club CKC Recognition Of The American Eskimo Dog as of March 2006. CKC (Canadian Kennel Club).

 History & Overview
The Eskie is derived almost completely from the various German Spitz breeds, mainly the German Spitz crossed with Japanese Spitz and Keeshonden in America. The Spitz family of Nordic dogs is one of the least altered by human husbandry and reflects most nearly the prototypical dog, from which stock all others have been derived. Archeology suggests that Neolithic dogs living with humans would today pass for spitzen.

Toy height: 9-13 inches
Toy weight: 6-10 lb
Miniature height: 12-16 in.
Miniature weight: 10-20 lb.
Standard height: 16-21 in.
Standard weight: 18-35 lb.
Coat: Thick, profuse white standoff double-coat, pronounced ruff around the neck
Litter size: Standard: 4-7 *** Mini: 2-4 *** Toy: 1-3
Life span: 10-15+ years (Up to 20 years with proper feeding, exercise & vet care)

Appearance
The standard for the American Eskimo Dog calls for them to be white or white & biscuit cream, with brown eyes (blue eyes, such as those found on the Siberian Husky, are a disqualification and a sign of poor health or breeding), and a compact body. The dog's length should be only slightly greater than its height at the shoulder. The muzzle is long and lupine (in contrast to the muzzles of Pomeranians). The ears are held erect and alert, and the tail should be feathered and loosely curled on the dog's back. These dogs look very much like smaller versions of the Samoyed, and come in three standard sizes. The toy is from 9 to 13 inches at the withers; the miniature is from 12 to 15 inches; the standard is from 16 inches up to and including 21 inches.
Eskies, as with all Spitzen, have erect, triangular ears ("prick ears"), a tail that flips onto the dog's back in a spiral, and two coats of fur: an undercoat that is softer and helps insulate the dog, and a harsher outer coat that acts as a weather repellent.

The Eskie, a loving companion dog and semi-working dog, presents a picture of strength and agility, alertness and beauty. It is a small to medium-size Nordic type dog, always white, or white with biscuit cream. The American Eskimo Dog is compactly built and well balanced, with good substance, and an alert, smooth gait. The face is Nordic type with erect triangular shaped ears, and distinctive black points (lips, nose, and eye rims). The white double coat consists of a short, dense undercoat, with a longer guard hair growing through it forming the outer coat, which is straight with no curl or wave. The coat is thicker and longer around the neck and chest forming a lion-like ruff, which is more noticeable on dogs than on bitches. The rump and hind legs down to the hocks are also covered with thicker, longer hair forming the characteristic breeches. The richly plumed tail is carried loosely on the back.

Temperament
American Eskimo Dogs along with other Spitzen were bred to be companion dogs, and thrive on being a part of a human family. Their history as a small general-purpose and a farm dog means that they are generally highly intelligent, trainable, and moderately independent. At home, they make excellent watchdogs, barking to announce the presence of strangers. The Eskie can be protective of its home and family, but in general they will not threaten to attack or bite a person unless provoked. As with all dogs, temperament is partially inherited and partially trained. Some dogs are prone to excessive barking and separation anxiety. It is important to research the dog's pedigree as their temperament may vary due to inheritance. Many people find the puppies of American Eskimo Dogs to be very "cute" and purchase this breed as a puppy without doing sufficient research, such as discovering the longevity and needs of this breed. This breed is not a fast-maturing one, and Eskies can behave more like puppies than like adults for up to two years, when they finally start to mature and grow their adult coats. They are also a very intelligent dog and need to be stimulated. When their intelligence is not stimulated or they are ignored, they can develop behavior issues. Owners can avoid this problem by socializing their Eskie through obedience training or participating in dog sports, such as dog agility, flyball,and dancing.

Health
The breed lives on average between 12 and 14 years, although some individuals might live as long as 20 years or longer. The Eskie is a fairly healthy breed. Health testing should be performed by all responsible breeders and anyone purchasing a puppy should be aware of the genetic problems which occur in the breed- PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), luxating patella, and hip dysplasia. None of these are terribly common and the breed is generally healthy, however, ethical breeders check for these conditions.
In addition to the problems above, the breed can have a tendency towards allergies and tear-staining and the propensity towards these traits is inherited- do not purchase a puppy from parents which have extreme tearstaining or allergies and you will likely avoid them.

Misc.
Eskies can, like many long-coated dogs, be prone to flea allergies and the resulting skin irritation can be difficult to clear up.

Grooming
Eskies have a long, dense coat and need regular grooming. This means brushing them once a week, or more often if necessary. They shed, but it can be maintained with regular brushing. They "blow" their coats twice a year, once in May or June (depending on the location in which they live) to shed their winter undercoat and once in November or December to shed their summer coat. Males may only shed once a year. Many Eskie owners use an undercoat rake, a tool available at most pet stores, for grooming. Some owners in hot climates do shave their Eskies, but if this is done, the dogs should be kept indoors as much as possible to prevent sunburn. Some people believe that once a dog is shaved, the coat will grow in with a coarser, woollier texture than it would have had it been left alone, but it varies by individual dog.

Eskies typically only need to be bathed only every two or three months, unless they soil their coat with large amounts of dirt or substances with strong odors. Regular brushing maintains a clean coat in most cases. Eskies are a very clean breed and constantly groom themselves.

 Breed-specific rescue
Because so many people purchase 'cute' puppies and then discover that they do not want an active, intelligent dog with a heavily shedding coat, many of this breed end up at the animal shelter or otherwise up for adoption, or possibly in more unfortunate situations. There are many breed-specific rescue groups that are more than willing to give advice on training or curbing behavioral issues.

Dog Breeds : American Cocker Spaniel

American Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel is a breed of dog that originated in the United Kingdom and was brought to Canada and then Spain and the United States in the late 1800s. American Cocker Spaniels were given their own AKC Stud Book in the early 1900s. By 1946, the English Cocker Spaniel was distinct enough in type from the "American" variety, that the American Kennel Club established it as a breed separate from the English Cocker Spaniel. It was given its own Stud Book and that left the "American" type to be known as the Cocker Spaniel in the United States. They are in the sporting breed group of dogs and are the smallest of their group. American Cocker Spaniels were used to flush out birds and prey from the brush so their masters could shoot them. Appearance
Happy and popular, the signature trait of the American Cocker Spaniel is its dark, expressive eyes that reflect a happy, loving, and active nature. Cockers are a dropped eared breed (pendulous ears) and the mature Cocker is shown in a full feathered, silky coat. After its show career ends, the fur is often trimmed into a "puppy cut", shortened on the legs, sides and belly, that is easier to keep whether as a pet, performance dog, or hunting companion. It is important to keep the hair clipped from both sides of the ear about one third down the ear flap. This helps to keep air flowing through the ear canal and reduce risk of ear infections from bacteria, injury or parasites.

Size
Cockers weigh an average of 18 to 28 pounds (6 to 9 kg). For show dogs, the ideal height of a Cocker Spaniel is 15 inches for male dogs and 14 inches for female dogs at the withers. An adult male who is over 15.5 inches, or an adult female over 14.5 inches would be disqualified in a conformation show. Bone and head size should be in proportion to the overall balance of the dog.

Color
For North Americans conformation shows Cockers are divided by the breed standard into three varieties: black, ASCOB (Any Solid Color Other than Black),and parti-colors. Black Variety includes: solid blacks and black & tan. ASCOB includes solid colors ranging from silver, to light cream (buff) to dark red and brown and brown with tan points. Parti-colors have large areas of white with another color(s) and must be have at least 10% coloration (not more than 90% white). Parti-colors include: black & white; black & white with tan points (referred to as tri-colors or "tris"), brown & white, brown & white with tan points (referred to as a "brown tri"), and red & white. Roans are shown in the Parti-color variety and can be black (referred to as "blue roans"), red ("orange roan"), or brown ("liver or chocolate roan"); with or without tan points. In a roan coat, individual colored hairs are mingled in with the white. Sable coloring is seen in solids or Parti-colors, but no longer can be shown in conformation by the American Spaniel Club, although it can be shown in Canada and in Europe. Merle is a highly controversial pattern, as it is debated whether it is a result of breeding to another breed. Cockers cannot be registered as merles with the AKC. It is not recognized by the American Spaniel Club and cannot be shown in conformation.

 Temperament
Their temperament is typically joyful and trusting. The ideal Cocker temperament is merry, outgoing, and eager to please everyone. When a Cocker Spaniel is excited, they tend to not only wag their tail, but their whole rear end as well. They can be good with children and usually sociable and gentle with other pets. They tend to be soft dogs who do not do well with rough or harsh training. They have a great love of toys and will go to lengths to obtain more. Often hiding or destroying a toy to gain a new one.
MortalityAmerican Cocker Spaniels in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 10-11 years,which is on the low end of the typical range for purebred dogs, and 1-2 years less than other breeds of their size.The larger English Cocker Spaniel typically lives about a year longer than the American Cocker Spaniel.

In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (23%), old age (20%), cardiac (8%), and immune-mediated (8%).In a 2003 USA/Canada Health Survey with a smaller sample size, the leading causes of death were cancer, hepatic disease, and immune-mediated

Morbidity
American Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to a variety of maladies, particularly infections affecting their ears and, in some cases, their eyes. As a result, they may require more medical attention than some other breeds. Common eye problems in Cockers include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), glaucoma, and cataracts. The American Spaniel Club recommends annual eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist for all dogs used for breeding. Autoimmune problems in Cockers include autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and ear inflammations. Less common are luxating patellas and hip dysplasia. Dogs used for breeding can be checked for both of these conditions, and dogs free of hip dysplasia can be certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

 History
American Cocker Spaniels are the smallest of the sporting spaniels. Their name cocker is commonly held to stem from their use to hunt woodcock in England, but today this breed is used to hunt a variety of upland gamebirds and water fowl.
In the United States the breed is known officially by the American Kennel Club, as the "Cocker Spaniel". Outside the US, it is often referred to as the American Cocker Spaniel, but it was the creation of the English Cocker Spaniel that triggered the breed split in the 1930s. It is said that the spaniel came to America on the Mayflower in the 1620's. It became a separate breed from all the spaniels in 1947.
On June 20, 1936 a group of English Cocker fanciers met at the home of Mr. And Mrs. E. Shippen near Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. They formed a specialty club for English Cocker Spaniels known as the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America. After this meeting, AKC recognized the "English" variety and people began to import Cockers bred in England, to the United States more frequently.
By 1938, 24 Cockers had completed their championships from the "English" classes, but six of them were American-bred Cockers and only one of those had an English import in the first five generations of their pedigrees. There was an advantage in the point system then to show in the English-variety classes. For instance, in California, a male ECS had to defeat five other dogs to earn a five point major; a solid Cocker male (American type) had to win over 19 dogs to win the same major, and some people used the advantage, after all, the types were bred together and a litter could have both varieties and all were registered as "Cocker Spaniels."

Then in 1938, the ECSCA Board of Directors met at Giralda Farms, Madison, New Jersey, and Geraldine Dodge made the motion that the owners of ECS studs would not allow them to be bred to American type bitches as a policy and requirement of membership in the ECSCA.
They also resolved to object to showing American type Cockers in English Cocker classes and went on to define an English Cocker Spaniel as "a dog or bitch of the Cocker Spaniel breed whose pedigree can be traced in all lines to dogs or bitches which were registered with the English Kennel Club (or eligible for export pedigree) on or before January 1, 1930." (Jubilee, 1986).
American type Cocker popularity surged during the 1940s and ECS fanciers knew they needed their own AKC Stud Book recognizing the English Cocker Spaniel as a separate breed. Mrs. Dodge began the work of sorting out the pedigrees not only in the United States, but in England and Canada. The project was done by Josephine Z. Rine, Mrs. Dodge's curator of art and former editor of "Popular Dogs."
That accomplished, Mrs. Dodge then began the process with AKC and in June 1946, the English Cocker Spaniel was officially recognized by AKC as a breed different from the American Cocker Spaniel. (ECSCA Jubilee, 1986)
American Cocker Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels are the only spaniel breeds allowed to compete together in Cocker Field Trials in the United States. There are a small number of field-bred American cockers bred in the US, but the distinction between field and show-bred dogs is less than exist in English cockers.
Today's American Cocker Spaniel is as always, a versatile small dog. It remains popular as a pet, but is also known for its workmanlike attributes that make it a stunning show dog, lively companion hunter, competitive gaming dog, or gentle therapy dog.